Jax

A.G. GancarskiMarch 16, 2017

A bill filed by Reggie Brown in the Jacksonville City Council this week would institute a 90-day moratorium on “block party” gatherings. The legislation (2017-196) posits “a legitimate public purpose in imposing a temporary moratorium on permitting recreational street closings … ‘block parties’ within the City, to allow the City time to create appropriate local regulations and […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 16, 2017

The city of Jacksonville’s municipal code has taken a gradualist approach to tobacco prohibition — and it’s not done yet, if a recently-filed bill is any indication. In 1973, the consolidated city passed an ordinance banning smoking in various places in the city. Then, a fortnight later, a second ordinance was passed clarifying that prohibition […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 16, 2017

Jacksonville may be Ground Zero for the debate about economic incentives. Local leaders want them, but the local Florida House delegation does not. This week, yet another prominent person in Jacksonville’s City Hall sounded the alarm for state incentives via Enterprise Florida. The Jacksonville Daily Record reports that local OED head Kirk Wendland made the case for […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 15, 2017

Another day, another big win for Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. The Jacksonville Association of Firefighters overwhelmingly approved the city’s pension offer, which sees raises for current employees and a defined contribution plan for future hires, Wednesday night. JAFF head Randy Wyse wrote in an email that “the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters have finished voting on the tentative agreement […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 15, 2017

Before Rep. Kim Daniels ran for the State House in 2016, she ran for re-election for the Jacksonville City Council. In that capacity, Daniels had some campaign finance issues, as Jacksonville’s Folio Weekly reported in February 2015. Daniels used $4,000 of campaign funds to promote her book, The Demon Dictionary, in a religious magazine called Shofar. Daniels also offered editorials […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 15, 2017

Jacksonville City Councilmen Bill Gulliford and Reggie Brown convened Wednesday to revisit an issue from months back: “community events” in the council districts. Bill 2016-489 allocated $70,000 to be split up among the 19 council members, for the purposes of staging educational community events in districts. For Brown, this issue is critical — his constituents often have questions about city […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 14, 2017

On a Tuesday agenda largely bereft of drama, the Jacksonville City Council moved bills related to microlending for small businesses, jobs for ex-offenders, and a boost for the council’s travel budget. All approvals were unanimous. ____ Microfinance: 2016-486 revives the city’s Access to Capital program for Jacksonville’s Small and Emerging Business program, allowing microfinancing from $5,000 to […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 14, 2017

Despite the election for Jacksonville City Council seats being two years away, a second candidate has jumped in to oppose incumbent Reggie Gaffney. Marc McCullough, who ran in 2011 and 2015, is running again in District 7. In 2015, McCullough drew 408 votes — good for 3.5 percent — in the first election. McCullough’s entry follows that […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 14, 2017

On Tuesday, the race to be the next president of the Jacksonville City Council tightened up, with Anna Brosche getting her fifth commitment. Meanwhile, Aaron Bowman — the frontrunner in the race for vice-president — expanded his lead over Scott Wilson. ____ On the presidential side, Matt Schellenberg pledged to support his fellow Republican, joining Sam Newby, Al Ferraro, Aaron […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 14, 2017

There is never a dull moment at a meeting of the Jacksonville City Council. On Tuesday, councilors mull microfinance, ex-offender jobs, and travel budgets. ____ Microfinance: 2016-486 revives the city’s Access to Capital program for Jacksonville’s Small and Emerging Business program, allowing microfinancing from $5,000 to $100,000 for Jacksonville’s small and emerging businesses. A sum of $932,032.65 […]

Jax
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Jacksonville mulls ‘block party’ moratorium

Movement in Jacksonville begins to ban tobacco sales to those under 21

Jacksonville leaders’ arguments for state incentives fall on deaf ears in Tallahassee

Fire union joins other Jax bargaining groups in approving pension deal

Campaign finance trouble bubbles up for Kim Daniels

Jacksonville City Council ‘community events’ policy up for review

Jacksonville City Council moves microlending, ex-offender jobs, travel budget bills

Reggie Gaffney draws second challenger for Jacksonville City Council

Anna Brosche, Aaron Bowman gain support in bids for Jacksonville council leadership

Jacksonville City Council contemplates crowded agenda Tuesday